Houston definitely had some problems but it did have a few standouts too. Starting off with the cliche Astronaut introduction, Norman Greenbaum's one hit wonder "Spirit In The Sky" kicked off an interesting but ultimately thin crop of singers. Houston did advance 55 to Hollywood so you must wonder if they are holding back some of the stronger singers for then but Skylar Laine, Baylie Brown, Kristine Osorio, and Ramiro Garcia were the clear standouts of the batch of singers we did see. Also, Season 10 Top 40 semi-finalist (and very near Top 24 finalist) Hollie Cavanagh remains in the mix. The British-born Texas transplant is very much back this season and my guess is that she's gotten even stronger. (We're still awaiting San Diego based Jessica E. Sanchez's coming out party as well.)
1) Phong Vu - 25 - Houston, TX - Student
"Unbreak My Heart" - Toni Braxton
Steven - No Jennifer - No Randy - No
2) Cameron Dobbins - 22 - Houston, TX - Student (No)
3) Lamounte Hall - 18 - Houston, TX - Wardrobe Stylist (No)
4) Skylar Laine - 17 - Brandon, MS - Student
"Hell On Heels" - Pistol Annie
Steven - Yes Jennifer - Yes Randy - Yes
While most teenage girls have posters of Justin Bieber in their bedrooms, Skylar has shot animals hanging quite liberally over her bed. The 17 year-old student, who works in her family's struggling food business, established herself as a country-twanged dark horse and could emerge as a tougher version of Lauren Alaina. Laine was perhaps the most interesting candidate to have been showcased in Texas.
5) Baylie Brown - 21 - Nashville, TN - Nanny
"Bed of Roses" - Bon Jovi
Steven - Yes Jennifer - Yes Randy - Yes
The Season 6 retread came back stronger than her appearance five years ago and emerged as one of the early Season 11 standouts as well. Brown, who barely missed the Top 24 five years ago, is poised to make a deeper run this time around and has also been one of the far superior of the past few audition city rounds as well.
6) Kristine Osorio - 28 - Amarillo, TX - Student
"One and Only" - Adele
Steven - Yes Jennifer - Yes Randy - Yes
The recently single mother, up to her neck in divorce lawyer bills, shanked her responsibilities to audition for American Idol. She had an incredible audition and showed very promising range and depth but I don't find anything cute or inspiring about someone who neglects all responsibility and obligations to chase a dream that even if achieved, would not come to fruition for almost a full calendar year.
7) Rachael Turner - 20 - Sugar Land, TX - Miss Houston 2011 (Yes - No - Yes)
8) Reagan Wilson - 23 - New Branfields, TX - Choir Teacher (No - Yes - No)
9) Cheyenne James - 17 - Conroe, TX - Student (No - Yes - No)
10) Linda Williams - 24 - League City, TX - Bartender
"Fallin'" - Alicia Keyes
Steven - Yes Jennifer - No Randy - Yes
Williams was the last of a four person montage of hyped up disagreements between the judges. Truth be told, I felt all four of them deserved to advance to Hollywood but did not feel that Williams was really post-Hollywood Week material. Even though she said she'd like to prove her idol wrong, if you get a divided ticket, your time in Hollywood is almost always short lived.
11) Alejandro Cazares - 26 - Houston, TX - Cell Phone Repairman
"Looking Up" - Paramore
Steven - No Jennifer - No Randy - No
The self-described one-man revolution certainly was entertaining to say the least. After openly dreaming about a world in which Lady Gaga can go platinum and Barack Obama could become president, he was immediately informed that he already lived in such a world. He claimed to have a doubting girlfriend who could could not accompany him to Houston because she didn't believe in his ability to make it, and his lobby efforts to incite the other waiting contestants was certainly priceless. (Did anybody else notice the Texas born Casey James look-alike seated in front of him?) Lady GaGa's "Alejandro" was obviously playing during his setup montage and while he was clearly straight-faced, it all still just seemed too comical to be genuinely serious. Either way, I found it hilarious and somebody really needs to give this guy a job in show business.
12) Cortez Shaw - 20 - Garland, TX - Warehouse Worker/Student
"Someone Like You" - Adele
Steven - Yes Jennifer - Yes Randy - Yes
Giving a somewhat but not exuberantly different spin on Adele's now signature ballad, Randy almost cut him off prematurely which made no sense to me whatsoever. I found Randy's antics during this audition to be exceedingly unnecessary and obnoxious, especially when it's been awhile since a viable R&B singer on American Idol won it all and Cortez fits all the right key voting demographics and with his charm and good looks, could definitely win it all, even if not this season. Didn't get that one at all. I thought Cortez killed it.
13) Julie Shuman - 28 - Manhattan, NY - Dancer/Nutritionist (3 Implied "No's)
"I'm A Woman" - Peggy Lee (Lieber & Stoller)
Steven - No Jennifer - No Randy - No
14) Vanessa Hernandez - 18 - Pasadena, TX - Student (No)
15) Erin "Nine" Kettl - 19 - Beaumont, TX - Student (No)
16) Ramiro Garcia - 28 - Houston, TX - Worship Leader
"Amazing Grace"
Steven - Yes Jennifer - Yes Randy - Yes
(All 3 Not Shown But Implied)
As is often, the show showcased its most heartwarming audition of the episode last. Born without ears, and after multiple surgeries, Garcia now has functioning ear canals. His speech, unmistakably impeachable, proves it but what proves it even more is his commanding voice. An easy golden ticket, Ramiro will be one to watch going forward in Hollywood Week.
As I alluded to before in my intro for this blog entry, I think there are a few possible contenders, with returning Season 10 sweetheart semi-finalist Hollie Cavanagh waiting in the wings. I haven't had the chance to really look at the finalists from this episode for the purpose of stacking them up against other audition cities, but I can certainly see the aforementioned four singers threatening with a deep run. Osorio and Garcia are eligibility limited to this year only (barring a run on The Voice or The X Factor) so the pressure will be on them to make the best of their run.
55 Golden Tickets Total
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